Week 1 Material Flashcards
what is a thoracentesis?
- Procedure involving surgical perforation of chest wall and pleural space for specimen collection, diagnostic evaluation, medication instillation into pleural space, and fluid removal
- Performed under local anesthesia using large bore needle
- Best practice - ultrasound guidance
- Performed under local anesthesia using large bore needle
indications for a thoracentesis
- Transudates (HF, cirrhosis, nephritic syndrome, hypoproteinemia)
- Exudates (inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic)
- Empyema
- Pneumonia
- Chest trauma (blunt, penetrating, crushing) or invasive thoracic procedures
assessment findings for a thoracentesis
- Large amounts of fluid in pleural space
- SOB, chest pain, cough
- Abnormal breath sounds
- Dull percussion sounds
- Decreased chest wall expansion
diagnostics and labs involved with a thoracentesis
- COCA of fluids aspirated
- Cell counts, protein/glucose content, abnormal cells
- Enzymes
- Lactate dehydrogenase, amylase
- Culture
Pre-Procedure Nursing Interventions for a Thoracentesis
- May be necessary for nurse to assist client into and to maintain position necessary for thoracentesis
- Ensure client signed consent form
- Gather required supply
- Obtain pre-procedure CXR (locate pleural effusion, ID needle site)
- Client positioning
how to position a client for a thoracentesis?
Sitting upright with arms and shoulders raised and supported on pillows or overbed table, feet and legs well supported
client education to be done before a thoracentesis
- Client to remain absolutely still
- Client not to speak or cough
- Mitigate risk of accidental needle damage
intraprocedure nursing actions for a thoracentesis
- Assist provider with procedure
- Maintain strict surgical aseptic technique
- Prepare client for feeling of pressure
- Monitor VS, skin color, O2 saturation for changes
- Measure and record amount of fluid removed
- Label specimens at bedside and send to lab
post procedure nursing interventions for a thoracentesis
- Apply dressing over puncture site
- Monitor VS and Resp status (hourly for several hours post procedure)
- rate/rhythm, breath sounds, oxygenation status
- Auscultate for reduced breath sounds on side of procedure
- Encourage client to deep breathe
- Assists with lung expansion
- CXR post-procedure
- Resolution of pleural effusion
- R/O pneumothorax
list possible complications of a thoracentesis
- mediastinal shift
- pneumothorax
- bleeding
- infection
explain mediastinal shift as a complication of a thoracentesis
- shift of thoracic structures to one side of body
- Diagnostics
- Monitor VS
- Auscultate lungs for decrease/absence of breath sounds
explain pneumothorax as a complication of thoracentesis
- collapsed lung (injury to lungs during procedure)
- Diagnostics
- Monitor for Pneumothorax manifestations
- Diminished breath sounds, distended neck veins, respiratory distress, cyanosis, chest wall asymmetry
- CXR
- Monitor for Pneumothorax manifestations
- Education: educate client on S/S pneumothorax, which can occur up to 24 hours post procedure
explain bleeding as a complication of peumothorax
- from client movement during procedure, esp. w/ increased risk for bleeding
- Diagnostics
- Monitor for coughing, hemoptysis
- Assess thoracentesis site for bleeding
- Monitor VS/labs
- Hypotension, decreased HGB levels
explain infection as a complication of thoracentesis
- compromised surgical asepsis
- Diagnostics:
- Monitor client temperature
Pathology of Rhinitis
- Inflammation of the nasal mucosa and often the mucosa in the sinuses that can be caused by infection (viral or bacterial) or allergens)
- Common cold (coryza) is caused by viruses spread from person to person in droplets from sneezing and coughing or direct contact
- Often coexists with other such as asthma and allergies
- Presence of allergen causes histamine release and other mediators from WBC in nasal mucosa - mediators bind to blood vessel receptors causing capillary leakage → edema and swelling
expected findings of rhinitis
- Excessive nasal drainage, runny nose, nasal congestion
- Purulent nasal discharge
- Sneezing and pruritus of the nose, throat and ears
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Sore, dry throat
- Red, inflamed, swollen nasal mucosa
- Low grade fever
- Diagnostic testing can include allergy tests to identify possible allergens
nursing care for rhinitis
- Encourage rest and increased fluid intake
- Encourage use of humidifier or breathing steamy air
- Promote proper disposal of tissues and cough etiquette
name the classes of medications used to treat rhinitis
- antihistamines
- leukotriene inhibitors
- mast cell stabililzers
- decongestants
- intranasal glucocorticoid sprays
- antipyretics
- antibiotics
name the antihistamines, leukotriene inhibitors, and mast cell stabilizers used to treat rhinitis
How do they work?
- antihistamines: bromepheniramine/pseudoephedrine
- leukotriene inhibitor: montelukast
- mast cell stabilizers: cromolyn
- Used to block the release of chemicals from WBC that bind with receptors in nasal tissues which prevent edema and itching
nursing considerations for antihistamines, leukotriene inhibitors, and mast cell stabilizers (used to treat rhinitis)
- Older adults ADRs - vertigo, hypertension and urinary retention
name the decongestant used to treat rhinitis
how does it work?
nursing considerations?
- phenylephrine
- Constrict blood vessels and decrease edema
- Nursing considerations - use as prescribed to avoid rebound nasal congestion
what is the most effective prevention and treatment of seasonal and perennial rhinits?
intranasal glucocorticoid sprays
when to use antipyretics for rhinitis?
when to use antibiotics for rhinitis?
- Antipyretics - use if fever is present
- Antibiotics - if bacterial infection can be identified
client education for rhinitis
- Hand hygiene
- Complementary therapies such as echinacea, larger dose of vit C, and zinc preparations can be useful to promote immune response
- Limit exposure to others